Independently removable reflector and filter

ABSTRACT

A reflector is detachably affixed on a housing at a cylindrical interface to achieve continuous compatibility therebetween about the axis of a lamp. For enclosed units, a breathing vent is conveniently incorporated into the cylindrical interface and an open cell gasket is disposed therein to filter the air. On enclosed units having a permanently affixed reflector, the breathing vent and open cell gasket are conveniently disposed between other interfacing components.

O United States Patent H [H1 3,878,505 Seibert Apr. 15, 1975 INDEPENDENTLY REMOVABLE 3,062,953 11/1962 Clark et al. 240/25 REFLECTOR AND FILTER gofjwin f'lCl'SOflfi a... i i [75] Inventor: Joseph George Seibert. lington 1457399 7/1969 Milroy 240147 X Heights, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Harvey Hubbell Incorporated, Prim ry Exa in -Jo ph PelCfS.

Bridgeport, Conn. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wooster, Davis & Cifelli [22] Filed: May 21,1973 2| Appl. No.: 362,090 [57] ABSTRACT A reflector is detachably affixed on a housing at :1 cylindrical interface to achieve continuous compatibility 240/25 2 therebetween about the xis of a lamp- For enclosed 58 Field of Search 240/103 R, 47, 25 3 3 brisathlng Y comeln'emy into the cylindrical interface and an open cell gasket is disposed therein to filter the air. On enclosed units [56] References cued having a permanently affixed reflector. the breathing UNITED STATES PATENTS vent and open cell gasket are conveniently disposed 2,194,43l 3/1940 ONeil 240/25 X between other interfacing components. 2,304,208 l2/l942 Rolph 240/25 3,03l,582 4/[962 Beuner et al. 240/25 X 9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures I W ll l ll 1 I 0',

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x K I2 l/ l 1J1 \\\\V\\= 1 l l \l i l L 1 I 1 mu 1 H PJIENTEEAPR l SE75 SHEET 1 BF 4 II I HM nmrmmmuunf IMIIHHI Illlllllllllllllll I L- 7 I HHH l INDEPENDENTLY REMOVABLE REFLECTOR AND FILTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to luminaires liming independently removable reflectors and especially to such luminaires which are enclosed but vented through a filter. Because grease and dirt deposits on the interior surfaces of luminaires reduce the lighting efficiency. many different approaches have been taken to provide easy access thereto for cleaning purposes and to provide lamp enclosures which have a filtered vent for reducing such deposits.

Many luminaires have permanently affixed reflectors and. therefore. cleaning thereof is most difficult because the reflector cannot be removed for total immersion at a remote location. This difficulty is alleviated somewhat in other luminaires by providing removable reflectors. Before the reflector can be removed in these luminaires. however. the lamp must be disengaged from its socket to complicate the cleaning process. Still other luminaires have independently removable reflec tors. but the interface existing therebetween is inherently indexed. Therefore. difficulties arise after cleaning in that the reflector must be precisely aligned for attachment to the luminaire.

Some Iuminaires are configured as enclosures with filtered vents and thereby reduce the amount of grease and dirt admitted. However. these units utilize activated charcoal as the filter element and a canister must. therefore. be disposed thereon. Because ofthe expense of activated charcoal and the inaccessible nature ofthe locations available for the canister. these luminaires leave much to be desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is. therefore. a general object ofthe present invew tion to provide a liminaire which minimizes and obviates the disadvantages of the prior art.

It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a luminaire having an independently removable reflector which is affixed thereto at a continuously compatible interface.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an enclosed Iuminaire having a filtered vent which is conveniently located and utilizes low cost filter materials.

These objects are accomplished according to the present invention by configuring a reflector to pass with clearance over a lamp secured within a housing. A cylindrical recess and shoulder on the housing are disposed as a cylindrical seat for a cylindrical step on the reflector and an annular groove is juxtaposed about the cylindrical seat. Latches are disposed on the reflector in a circular pattern which is concentrically located relative to the cylindrical step and engage the annular groove to retain the reflector on the housing. On en closed units. ventilated ribs are disposed around the cylindrical seat to retain anopen cell gasket within the interface between the housing and the reflector. The open cell gasket is disposed at the interface between the housing and an uplight lens on enclosed units having permanently affixed reflectors and uplight openings in the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The manner in which these and other objects of the imention are achieved will be best understood by reference to the following description. the appended claims. and the Figures of the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of an unenclosed luminaire having an independently removable reflector in accordance with this invention:

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view thereof with portions cut away to illustrate the continuously compatible interface that exists between the reflector and lo the housing;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partially exploded \iew thereof. illustrating the detachability of the reflector independently of the lamp;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of an enclosed l5 luminaire with portions thereof cut away to illustrate that a filtered vent can be incorporated into the continuously compatible interface between the housing and the independently removable reflector in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view of an enclosed luminaire. with portions thereof cut away to illustrate that the filtered vent of this invention can be incorporated when no independently removable reflector exists.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to the drawings. and more particularly to FIG. I. there is illustrated an unenclosed electrical luminaire I0 on which a detachable reflector 12 is in corporated in accordance with this invention. The reflector I2 is affixed to a housing I4 within which a socket I6 is secured for retaining a lamp I8. Fastening means for engaging an annular groove is disposed between the reflector l2 and the housing 14 to affix the former to the latter. As illustrated in FIG. 2. the interface between the reflector I2 and the housing I4 is continuously compatible about the longitudinal axis of the lamp I8 and an open air passage 22 exists through the luminaire I0 around the lamp 18. The luminaire I0 is adapted to hang from a junction box 24 which is affixable to an electrical conduit 26. Power is supplied to the luminaire 10 from wires (not shown) passing through the conduit 26 and the necessary electrical connections are made within the junction box 24.

Generally. the reflector I2 is symmetrically configured to enfold a concave reflective surface 28 about the lamp l8 and has a neck opening 30 disposed at the apex thereof. The neck opening 30 is configured to pass with clearance over the lamp l8 and a cylincrical step 32 is concentrically disposed therearound. Latches 34 are utilized as the fastening means and are disposed on the reflector 12 in a circular pattern which is concentrically located relative to the cylindrical step 32. Any suitable means may be utilized to affix the latches 34 to the reflector 12. such as rivets (not shown).

In overall configuration. the housing 14 can extend to the junction box 24 or it can be interconnected thereto through other structural components of the luminaire I0. Bacause of the unenclosed nature of the luminaire 110. openings 36 are disposed through the sides of the housing 14. however. enclosed luminaires are also possible. as will be discussed later in this description. A cylindrical seat 38 is disposed around the housing 14 and includes a cylindrical recess 40 about which a cylindrical shoulder 42 is concentrically disposed. The cylindrical recess 40 is sized to receive the cylindrical step 32 of the reflector I2 and the cylindri cal shoulder 42 is configured to complement the exterior contour of the reflector 12. The annular groo\e 20 is disposed on the housing I4 and is located concentrically to both the cylindrical recess 40 and the cylindrical shoulder 42. while being juxtaposed to the latter.

During periodic maintenance of the luminaire I0. the reflector 12 can easily be detached from the housing 14. as illustrated in FIG. 3. After the latches 34 ha\c been opened and disengaged from the annular groove 20. the reflector I2 is removable independently of the lamp l8 which. therefore. does not have to be dis turbed. Then. all that is required for reattachment of the reflector I2 to the housing I4 is to pass the reflector I2 back over the lamp l8 and direct the cylindrical step 32 into the cylindrical seat 38. Thereafter. the latches 34 are engaged into the annular groove 20 and snapped closed against the reflector 12. Therefore. the rcattachment procedure only requires that the neck opening 30 of the reflector 12 be aligned around the lamp I8 and all further alignment difficulties are moided because a continuously compatible interface exists between the housing 14 and the reflector I2 about the longitudinal axis of the lamp I8. Of course. many other cooperative arrangements between the reflector l2 and the housing I4 could be utilized to accomplish the continuously compatible interface. such as to dispose the fastening means on the housing 14 and the annular groove 20 on the reflector I2 or to dispose the cylindrical seat 38 on the reflector l2 and the cylindrical step 32 on the housing 14.

An enclosed luminaire I is illustrated in FIG. 4 where because of similarities existing with the unenclosed luminaire ll) of FIGS. 1 3. similar components are designated with the same numerals as those used in FIGS. I 3. except that a prime l is added. Again. the luminaire I0 is constructed with a reflector 12' de taehably affixed to a housing 14' within which a socket I6 is secured for retaining a lamp I8 and a seal (not shown) is disposed between the socket l6 and the housing I4. Between the reflector l2 and the housing I4 a continuously compatible interface about the longitudinal axis of the lamp 18' is disposed and a gasket 44 is partially compressed within this interface. The gasket 44 is fabricated of any suitable open cell material. such as polyester foam. Fastening means for engaging an annular groove 20' is disposed between the reflector I2 and the housing I4 to affix the former to the latter.

As before. the reflector 12' is symmetrically config ured to enfold a concave reflective surface 28' about the lamp l8 and has a neck opening 30' disposed at the apex thereof. The neck opening 30' is sized to pass with clearance ov er the lamp I8 and a cylindrical step 32' is concentrically disposed therearound. A lens 46 is affixed to the reflector I2 across the light emitting end and a seal 48 is disposed therebetween. Latches 34' are utilized as the fastening means and are disposed on the reflector [2' in a circular pattern which is concentrically located relati\e to the cylindrical step 32'. Any suitable means may be utilized to affix the latches 34' to the reflector 12'. such as rivets (not shown).

A cylindrical seat 38' is disposed around the housing 14' and includes a cylindrical recess 40' about which a cylindrical shoulder 42' is concentrically disposed. The cylindrical recess 40' is sized to receive the cylindrical step 32' of the reflector l2 and ventilated ribs having notches 52 are disposed about the cylindrical shoulder 42'. The open cell gasket 44 is configured to fit between the ventilated ribs 50 and to bear against the exterior surface of the reflector 12'. The annular groove 20' is disposed on the housing I4 and is located concentrically to both the cylindrical recess 40' and the cylindrical shoulder 42'. while being juxtaposed relative to the latter.

The open cell gasket 44 and the ventilated ribs 50 of the cylindrical shoulder 42' cooperate to establish a filtered vent 54 in the enclosed luminaire I0 because the porous nature of the gasket 44 allows air to pass when only a small pressure differential exists thereacross. Although the partial compression imposed on the open cell gasket 44 impedes air flow somewhat. the threshold pressure differential at which air will pass is not increased appreciably thereby. Furthermore. the only other possible access for air on the enclosed luminaire I0 is from leakage around the lens seal 48 or the socket seal and this can only occur at very high pressure differentials. Since the air travels through the open cell gasket 44 in an irregular course and through min ute openings. the particulate matter carried by the air is filtered out. Therefore. as the air within the housing 14' and the reflector l2 expands or contracts. any pressure differential created above the threshold of the open cell gasket 44 will be vented. Most importantly. any air sucked into the luminaire 10' will be filtered and. therefore. free of dirt and grease.

As described previously for the unenclosed luminaire 10. the reflector I2 is removable independently ofthe lamp [8. while the interface between the housing 14' and the reflector 12' is continuously compatible about the longitudinal axis of the lamp I8. Therefore. any periodic maintenance to the luminaire I0. such as cleaning or replacing the open cell gasket 44. will be accomplished in the same easy manner described earlier for the unenclosed luminaire [0. As discussed previously. many other cooperative arrangements between the reflector I2' and the housing 14' could be utilized to accomplish the continuously compatible interface and. of course. the ventilated ribs 50 could be disposed on the reflector I2 in any such arrangements.

Many enclosed luminaires have uplighting provisions and permanently affixed reflectors. As illustrated in FIG. 5. a filtered vent 56 utilizing an open cell gasket 58 can be incorporated into a luminaire 60 having such an arrangment. The luminaire 60 is constructed with a reflector 62 affixed to a housing 64 by any suitable means. such as a sealed crimp 66. A socket 68 for retaining a lamp 70 is secured within the housing 64 with a seal (not shown) disposed therebetween and a sealed lens 72 is hingedly affixed to the reflector 62 across the light emitting end and retained thereto with a latch 74. Openings 76 are disposed through the sides ofthe housing 64 to provide uplighting at the rear of the reflector 62. An uplight lens 78 is retained within the housing 64 by a lens ring 80 and closes off the openings 76.

At the interfaces between the housing 64 and the uplight lens 78. the open cell gasket 58 and a rear gasket 82 are disposed. The open cell gasket 58 is fabricated of any open cell material. such as polyester foam. while the rear gasket 82 is fabricated of any elastomeric material. such as rubber. Both gaskets S8 and 82 are partially compressed between the housing 64 and the uplight lens 78.

For the same reasonsdiscusscd previously for the enclosed luminaire illustrated in FIG. 4. the open cell gasket 58 is the only access for air on the luminaire 60. Therefore. as the air within the housing 64 and the reflector 62 expands or contracts. any pressure differential created abo\e the threshold of the open cell gasket 58 will be vented. Most importantly. any air sucked into the luminaire 60 will be filtered and. therefore. free of dirt and grease. Of course. the filtered will 56 could also be established by fabricating the rear gasket 82 of open cell material or by locating the open cell gasket 58 at any other sealed interface on either the housing 64 or the reflector 62. for example the seal around the lens 72 of the reflector 62.

An enclosed luminaire having both a detachable reflector and uplighting provisions can be achieved by consolidating the concepts illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. On such a luminaire. the reflector is identical to that shown in FIG. 4. while the housing is a modified version of that shown in H6. 5. A cylindrical seat identical to that shown in FIG. 4 and explained above is incorporated on the housing as the modification. The reflector secures to the housing at a continuously compatible interface about the longitudinal axis of the lamp and a gasket is partially compressed within this interface. The gasket is disposed between the ribs on the cylindrical shoulder and is fabricated of any suitable elastomeric material. such as rubber. Of course. the elastomeric gasket creates a high pressure seal and. therefore. the notches in the ribs can be deleted if desired.

It should be readily appreciated by those skilled in this art that the luminaire of this invention may be ei ther enclosed or unenclosed and may include an independently removable reflector having a continuously compatible interface therewith. Furthermore. a conveniently located filtered vent utilizing low cost filter materials may be incorporated into enclosed versions thereof. either with or without the independently removable reflector.

It should be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in details of construction and the combination or arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the true spirit and the scope of this invention. Therefore. the present disclosure should be construed as illustrative rather than limiting.

What I claim is:

1. In an electrical luminaire of the type wherein a lamp is secured on a housing to which is affixed a re flector of symmetrical configuration about the lamp. the improvement comprising:

said reflector being detachable from said housing and being joined thereto at a continuously compatible interface symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the lamp. said continuously compatible interface being located by a cylindrical step engaging a cylindrical seat and an annular groove being concentrically disposed around said cylindrical seat to cooperate with fastening means for securing said reflector on said housing. said cylindrical seat including a cylindrical shoulder concentrically disposed about a cylindrical recess. said cylindrical shoulder having ventilated ribs disposed therearound and an open cell gasket being disposed between said ventilated ribs to create a filtered vent across said continuously compatible interface.

2. ln an enclosed electrical luminaire of the type wherein an uplight lens is disposed to cover uplight openings in a housing and pressure fluctuations occur due to the expansion and contraction of air. the im- 5 provement comprising:

an open cell gasket being disposed at an interface between said uplight lens and said housing. said gas ket having a porous nature and allowing air to flow therethrough when a low pressure differential exists thereacross so that a filtered vent for the luminaire is created thereby.

3. In the combination of claim 2 wherein a reflector is detachably affixed to said housing and is symmetrically configured to enfold about a lamp therein. said reflector and said housing being joined at a continuously compatible interface symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the lamp.

4. In the combination of claim 3 wherein ribs are dis posed around said continuously compatible interface and an elastomeric gasket is disposed between said ribs to seal said continuously compatible interface.

5. An electrical luminaire including first and second housing sections enveloping a lamp. the second section having a light-reflective inner surface and mounting a light-transmitting lens at one end thereof. said first and second sections having circular openings circumscribed. respectively. by an annular flange and an annular rim with the cross-sectional area ofsaid rim opening being larger than the crosssectional area of the lamp; the interior diameter of said flange being greater than the exterior diameter of said rim whereby said flange overlaps and is spaced from the periphery of said rim in an annular region:

a gasket of generally circular cross-section interposed between said flange and said rim in said region and comprised of a material for filtering solid extraneous matter from gas flowage through said region caused by pressure differentials across said gasket;

means for detachably joining said sections together to envelop the lamp; and

means for sealing the joined housing sections against entry of solid extraneous matter save for said re gion which is filtered by said gasket.

6. In an enclosed electrical luminaire of the type wherein a reflector is mounted on a housing and pressure fluctuations occur due to the expansion and contraction of air. the improvement comprising:

an open cell gasket being disposed at an interface between said reflector and said housing. said gasket having a porous nature and allowing air to flow therethrough when a low pressure differential exists there-across so that a filtered vent for the luminaire is created thereby.

7. In an enclosed electrical luminaire of the type wherein a lamp socket is mounted on a housing and pressure fluctuations occur due to the expansion and contraction of air. the improvement comprising:

an open cell gasket being disposed at an interface be tween said lamp socket and said housing. said gasket having a porous nature and allowing air to flow therethrough when a low pressure differential exists thereacross so that a filtered vent for the luminaire is created thereby.

8. In an enclosed electrical luminaire of the type wherein a lens is disposed across the light emitting end of a reflector and pressure fluctuations occur due to the oil expansion and contraction of air. the imprmement comprising:

an open cell gasket being disposed at an interface betvvecn said lens and said reflector. said gasket hav ing a porous nature and allowing air to flow therethrough when a low pressure differential exists thereacross so that a filtered vent for the luminaire is created thereb v.

9. An enclosed electrical luminaire wherein pressure fluctuations occur due to the expansion and contraction of air. said electrical luminaire comprising:

a socket for retaining a lamp;

a housing having said socket secured therein. said housing and said socket having an interface thercbetween;

a reflector mounted on said housing. said reflector and said housing having an interface therebetween;

a lens disposed across the light emitting end of said reflector. said lens and said reflector having an interface therebetween'. and

at least one open cell gasket having a porous nature 

1. In an electrical luminaire of the type wherein a lamp is secured on a housing to which is affixed a reflector of symmetrical configuration about the lamp, the improvement comprising: said reflector being detachable from said housing and being joined thereto at a continuously compatible interface symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the lamp, said continuously compatible interface being located by a cylindrical step engaging a cylindrical seat and an annular groove being concentrically disposed around said cylindrical seat to cooperate with fastening means for securing said reflector on said housing, said cylindrical seat including a cylindrical shoulder concentrically disposed about a cylindrical recess, said cylindrical shoulder having ventilated ribs disposed therearound and an open cell gasket being disposed between said ventilated ribs to create a filtered vent across said continuously compatible interface.
 2. In an enclosed electrical luminaire of the type wherein an uplight lens is disposed to cover uplight openings in a housing and pressure fluctuations occur due to the expansion and contraction of air, the improvement comprising: an open cell gasket being disposed at an interface between said uplight lens and said housing, said gasket having a porous nature and allowing air to flow therethrough when a low pressure differential exists thereacross so that a filtered vent for the luminaire is created thereby.
 3. In the combination of claim 2 wherein a reflector is detachably affixed to said housing and is symmetrically configured to enfold about a lamp therein, said reflector and said housing being joined at a continuously compatible interface symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the lamp.
 4. In the combination of claim 3 wherein ribs are disposed around said continuously compatible interface and an elastomeric gasket is disposed between said ribs to seal said continuously compatible interface.
 5. An electrical luminaire including first and second housing sections enveloping a lamp, the second section having a light-reflective inner surface and mounting a light-transmitting lens at one end thereof, said first and second sections having circular openings circumscribed, respectively, by an annular flange and an annular rim with the cross-sectional area of said rim opening being larger than the cross-sectional area of the lamp; the interior diameter of said flange being greater than the exterior diameter of said rim whereby said flange overlaps and is spaced from the periphery of said rim in an annular rEgion; a gasket of generally circular cross-section interposed between said flange and said rim in said region and comprised of a material for filtering solid extraneous matter from gas flowage through said region caused by pressure differentials across said gasket; means for detachably joining said sections together to envelop the lamp; and means for sealing the joined housing sections against entry of solid extraneous matter save for said region which is filtered by said gasket.
 6. In an enclosed electrical luminaire of the type wherein a reflector is mounted on a housing and pressure fluctuations occur due to the expansion and contraction of air, the improvement comprising: an open cell gasket being disposed at an interface between said reflector and said housing, said gasket having a porous nature and allowing air to flow therethrough when a low pressure differential exists thereacross so that a filtered vent for the luminaire is created thereby.
 7. In an enclosed electrical luminaire of the type wherein a lamp socket is mounted on a housing and pressure fluctuations occur due to the expansion and contraction of air, the improvement comprising: an open cell gasket being disposed at an interface between said lamp socket and said housing, said gasket having a porous nature and allowing air to flow therethrough when a low pressure differential exists thereacross so that a filtered vent for the luminaire is created thereby.
 8. In an enclosed electrical luminaire of the type wherein a lens is disposed across the light emitting end of a reflector and pressure fluctuations occur due to the expansion and contraction of air, the improvement comprising: an open cell gasket being disposed at an interface between said lens and said reflector, said gasket having a porous nature and allowing air to flow therethrough when a low pressure differential exists thereacross so that a filtered vent for the luminaire is created thereby.
 9. An enclosed electrical luminaire wherein pressure fluctuations occur due to the expansion and contraction of air, said electrical luminaire comprising: a socket for retaining a lamp; a housing having said socket secured therein, said housing and said socket having an interface therebetween; a reflector mounted on said housing, said reflector and said housing having an interface therebetween; a lens disposed across the light emitting end of said reflector, said lens and said reflector having an interface therebetween; and at least one open cell gasket having a porous nature and allowing air to flow therethrough when a low pressure differential exists thereacross, each said open cell gasket being disposed at one of said interfaces with all of said other interfaces being sealed to preclude air flow therethrough when pressure differentials exist thereacross, whereby each said open cell gasket creates a filtered vent for the luminaire. 